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Red Beans and Rice

Stewed kidney beans with smoked slab bacon poured over white rice
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time3 hours
Total Time3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Author: Viella

Ingredients

Red Beans

  • 3 cups of red kidney beans
  • 3 bay leaves
  • Bunch of thyme
  • 2 lb smoked slab bacon uncut
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 scotch bonnet pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • 6 cups of water
  • 6 scallions green stems only, thinly sliced

White Rice

  • 3 cups of white rice
  • 4 1/2 cups of boiling water
  • 2 1/2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 sprig of thyme

Equipment & Utensils

  • Very large stockpot - at least 8 quarts
  • Medium saucepan with cover

Instructions

Red Beans

  • Place kidney beans in a pan or container with a cover, add bay leaves and half of the bunch of thyme, then add boiling water until the kidney beans are covered completely.
  • Cover pan or container and set aside for 1 hour.
  • After an hour has passed, check the kidney beans, if the water has ben completely absorbed, top up the water with some more boiling water to make sure the kidney beans are completely submerged.
  • Cover pan or container and set aside.
  • Once the water has cooled, place kidney beans in fridge overnight to soak.
  • Once kidney beans have soaked overnight, pour the kidney beans, bay leaves and thyme, and the water the beans was soaked in, into a stockpot and place on medium heat.
  • Trim bacon slab, removing skin and excess fat.
  • Cut bacon slab into 1 1/2 inch cubes
  • Place bacon cubes into stockpot with kidney beans.
  • Peel and cut onion into quarters and add to stockpot
  • Trim and remove stalk from scotch bonnet, cut in half and remove seeds, then add to stockpot.
  • Add garlic, allspice, the rest of the thyme, and 6 cups of water to the stockpot.
  • Stir ingredients to combine, then cover and lower heat to simmer.
  • Allow to cook for at least three hours, checking regularly.
  • Make sure the sauce level remains constant, by adding more water when required.
  • Once bacon is tender, taste sauce to ensure it is seasoned appropriately.
  • Add additional seasoning (salt, allspice, garlic) if required.

White Rice

  • Wash rice and then place in saucepan.
  • Pour boiling water over rice and place on high heat until rice begins to boil.
  • Add butter and salt, stir.
  • Place thyme on top of rice, cover and then lower heat to a simmer.
  • Cook until water has evaporated and rice is soft to the bite.
  • If the rice is a little too al dente, add a little more boiling water, cover and cook until water has evaporated. Make sure not to add too much water as this will make the rice sticky.
  • Once cooked, allow to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

To Serve

  • Add 1/2 cup of rice to a bowl and pour a hearty helping of the red beans over the rice.
  • Sprinkle some scallion slices over the top and serve.